Abstract: A power operated locking device for securing for example a tooth or an adaptor, to a ground engaging system, the lock having an internal motor, and sensing system operated by remote wireless technology to unlock and lock the locking device, and a wireless transmitting handheld device for the locking, and unlocking of the power operated locking device, wherein the motor and drive and electronic response circuits are all contained within the power operated locking device.

Abstract: A transport cart and a method using a transport cart transports objects or animal carcasses. The transport cart has a loading trough which has a region which is arranged on a side of the loading trough facing away from a handlebar and/or from at least one handle, wherein the region has at least one loading and/or unloading device, thus making loading and/or unloading possible such that the object which is to be transported or the transported object or the animal carcass which is to be transported or the transported animal carcass does not have to be touched by an operator.

Abstract: A mechanical discharger (a) combined with an extractor device (b) of the bulk product (c) stored in a silo bag (d), of the type comprising a winding tube (10) driven by rotation and which is mounted on support arms (11) hinged to a wheeled (2) frame (1) and wherein the product extractor device (b) is a continuous conveyor structure having a lower loading part (5) substantially horizontally and transversely positioned within the bag-silo (d). From the discharge end, the silo-bag wall (d) is cut with two lateral longitudinal cuts, being the wall divided into an upper part (d1) and a lower one (d2). The winding tube (10), draws by rotation and by the corresponding end the upper half portion (d1) of the silo bag (d). A second winding tube (20) is mounted underlying and parallel to the first tube (10) through support and positioning means (30) and though a mechanical transmission (40). The second winding tube (20) draws by rotation and by the same end, the lower half part (d2) of the silo bag (d).

Abstract: A method for conveying piece goods from a stack, using a finger unit with two flexible flank elements which extend jointly from one end of the finger unit, wherein the two flexible flank elements are in each case flexibly connected to one another by way of a multiplicity of webs such that the finger unit is adjustable from a curved position into a straightened position and back, wherein the finger unit is pressed against the stack in a gripping direction such that one flank element is impressed by one item of piece goods, wherein the finger unit is adjusted from a straightened position into a curved position and, in the process, the finger unit grips the item of piece goods, and wherein the gripped item of piece goods is moved by the finger unit from the stack in a transport direction perpendicular to the gripping direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for gathering bales that substantially match conveyor speed to ground speed. Methods for gathering bales that use such apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: An automated unloading apparatus, system and method for use with a container having a plurality of items located on a base belt. The apparatus includes a ramp, a conveyor, a stack control curtain, and a tensioning mechanism. The ramp is configured to pass under the base belt. The conveyor is configured to remove a first item from the plurality of items. The stack control curtain is configured to retain a second item of the plurality of items during removal of the first item. The tensioning mechanism is configured to couple to the base belt and maintain a desired tension on the base belt during passage of the nose ramp under the base belt and removal of the first item.

Abstract: An automated unloading apparatus, system and method for use with a container having a plurality of items located on a base belt. The apparatus includes a ramp, a conveyor, a stack control curtain, and a tensioning mechanism. The ramp is configured to pass under the base belt. The conveyor is configured to remove a first item from the plurality of items. The stack control curtain is configured to retain a second item of the plurality of items during removal of the first item. The tensioning mechanism is configured to couple to the base belt and maintain a desired tension on the base belt during passage of the nose ramp under the base belt and removal of the first item.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus (10) for collecting and handling particulate material such as particulate coal, the apparatus (10) comprising an elongated hollow conveyor housing (19) along which an endless chain (43) extends, the chain (43) carrying a plurality of transverse flights (44), the housing (19) being supported adjustably on a mobile chassis (11), and a materials collection head (31) at one end of the housing (19) which includes augers (38) for directing particulate material towards a central portion of the head (31) for engagement by the flights (44) which convey the collected materials along the housing (10) to an outlet (21).

Abstract: An apparatus for moving grain from a grain includes a vertical main auger at a rear end of a frame, a knife extending rearward to cut the grain bag, a turret auger pivotally attached to the top of the main auger, and a feed auger extending laterally from the bottom intake of the main auger. A bias element forces a pair of pinching rollers against each other. A drive rotates the pinching rollers such that an empty portion of the bag can be fed between the rollers and the rollers rotated to pull the empty bag upward from the ground and forward between the rollers such that the empty bag falls on the ground in front of the rollers as the frame moves rearward, and such that the frame is pulled rearward by the rollers and the feed auger moves rearward into a filled portion of the grain bag.

Abstract: An arrangement for extracting extraction products in caving in which the extraction product is extracted downwards through an extraction funnel into an extraction path and from this is transferred onto an extraction conveyor arranged in a conveyor path, in which arrangement the extraction path extends transversely between the conveyor path and an auxiliary path parallel to this, a loading ramp is arranged in the extraction path which forms a ramp surface orientated transversely to the conveying direction of the extraction conveyor and inclined towards it. The extraction path is provided with a rail guidance attached to the bottom and extending in the area between the auxiliary path and the conveying path, on which the loading ramp is guided and along which it can be moved by a displacement drive (20) in the direction of the conveyor path and in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A pre-starter for starting a turn in the end of a sod strip travelling up a conveyor in a sod harvester. The pre-starter includes a metal plate sloping downwardly and rearwardly with its end pressing against the sod strip to catch the blades of grass on the upper surface of the sod strip, thereby causing the end of the sod strip to curl upwardly. The curled end of the sod strip then moves into a conventional sod roll-up mechanism spaced immediately behind the pre-starter, to roll the sod strip. This forms accurate and consistent rolls suitable for automation.

Abstract: A sod harvesting machine comprising a wheeled frame with single or dual cutterheads at the forward end and a sod-receiving wind-up saddle at the rear end. An endless conveyor with a single flight spans the length of the machine and cut sod which is received at the forward end is advanced rearwardly for elevation and transport to the wind-up saddle and discharge at the rear end. The wind-up saddle comprises an expandable frame with pivotally attached supporting arms which commence the wind-up operation in a generally closed “U” configuration, but are controllably adjustably expandable outwardly to open the saddle for continuously accommodating the increase in diameter of the sod roll being helically wound therewithin. When the sod roll reaches its maximum and completed size, the saddle arms are pivoted rearwardly to the horizontal for direct discharge from the harvesting machine onto the ground surface.

Abstract: A method the method of transferring a roll of sod while inhibiting an unwinding of the roll of sod comprising the steps of: (a) rolling a slab of sod into a first sod roll; (b) forcing the first sod roll onto a sod roll handling mechanism containing a second sod roll with the first sod roll forming pressure contact with the second sod roll on the sod roll handling mechanism; and (c) advancing the sod roll handling mechanism with the second sod roll while maintaining the first sod roll and the second sod roll in pressure contact to thereby inhibit the unwinding of the first sod roll as the first sod roll is transferred to the handling mechanism and an sod harvester guidance system for maintaining a full cut.

Abstract: A tunnel digging apparatus has an undercarriage pivotally attached to a moving means, the undercarriage being pivotable between a first moving position where the machine may be moved over a surface by operation of the moving means and a second operating position such that at least a portion of the undercarriage is in contact with the surface. The machine in the operating position is supported by at least a portion of the moving means and the portion of the undercarriage in contact with the surface.